(Mv.VIII.1.1) [128] Now on that occasion the Buddha, the Blessed One, was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the Squirrels’ Feeding Ground. And at that time Vesālī was powerful, both prosperous and populous, filled with people, with plenty of food, with 7, 707 palaces, 7,707 peaked-roofed buildings, 7,707 parks, and 7,707 water tanks. And Ambapālī the courtesan — beautiful, inspiring, endowed with the foremost beauty of complexion, skilled in dancing, singing, and instrumental music, visited by men filled with desire — went for fifty a night. And Vesālī was even more resplendent because of her.

(Mv.VIII.1.2) Then the City Council of Rājagaha went to Vesālī on some business. They saw Vesālī — powerful, both prosperous and populous, filled with people, with plenty of food, with 7, 707 palaces, 7,707 peaked-roofed buildings, 7,707 parks, and 7,707 water tanks, and Ambapālī the courtesan — beautiful, inspiring, endowed with the foremost beauty of complexion, and skilled in dancing, singing, and instrumental music, visited by men filled with desire, going for fifty a night — making Vesālī even more resplendent. Then the City Council of Rājagaha, having finished their business in Vesālī, returned to Rājagaha, went to King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, and on arrival, said to him,

“Your Majesty, Vesālī is powerful, both prosperous and populous, filled with people, with plenty of food, with 7, 707 palaces, 7,707 peaked-roofed buildings, 7,707 parks, and 7,707 water tanks. And Ambapālī the courtesan — beautiful, inspiring, endowed with the foremost beauty of complexion, skilled in dancing, singing, and instrumental music, visited by men filled with desire — goes for fifty a night. And Vesālī is even more resplendent because of her. It would be good, your Majesty, if we would set up a courtesan as well.”

“I say, in that case, find the kind of girl you would set up as courtesan.”

(Mv.VIII.1.3) Now at that time there was a girl in Rājagaha named Sālavatī — beautiful, inspiring, endowed with the foremost beauty of complexion. So the City Council set up the girl Sālavatī as courtesan. In no long time, Sālavatī the courtesan became skilled in dancing, singing, and instrumental music. Visited by men filled with desire, she went for a hundred a night. Then, in no long time, she became pregnant. The thought occurred to her, “Pregnant women are unappealing to men. If anyone finds out that I’m pregnant, all my income will be lost. Why don’t I tell people I’m sick?”

So she commanded the doorkeeper, “I say, doorkeeper, don’t let any man come in, and if any asks for me, tell him I’m sick.”

“As you say, Lady,” the doorkeeper responded to her.

(Mv.VIII.1.4) Then, when the fetus had matured, Sālavatī the courtesan gave birth to a son. So she commanded a female slave, “Hey, having put this baby in a winnowing basket, take him out and throw him on the garbage pile.”

Responding, “As you say, Lady,” to Sālavatī, the female slave put the baby in a winnowing basket, took him out, and threw him on the garbage pile. And on that occasion a prince named Abhaya, going early to have an audience with the king, saw the baby, surrounded by crows. On seeing him, he asked people, “I say, what’s that surrounded by crows?”

“A baby, your highness.”

“I say, is he alive?”

“He’s alive, your highness.”

“I say, in that case, bring him into our palace and give him to the nurses to raise him.”

Responding, “As you say, your highness,” to Prince Abhaya, the people brought him into his palace and gave him to the nurses, (saying,) “Raise him.”

Because it was said of him, “He’s alive,” [jīvati] they gave him the name ‘Jīvaka’ [One who is alive]. Because the prince [kumāra] had him looked after, they gave him the name ‘Komārabhacca’ [fed by a prince].

(Mv.VIII.1.5) Then in no long time, Jīvaka Komārabhacca reached the age of self-awareness. He went to Prince Abhaya and said to him, “Your highness, who is my mother? Who is my father?”

“I say, Jīvaka, even I don’t know who your mother is. But I’m your father — you were looked after by me.”

Then the thought occurred to Jīvaka Komārabhacca, “It’s not easy for one without a craft to survive in these royal families. Why don’t I learn a craft?”

[129] At that time there was a doctor living in Takkasilā — renowned in all the lands.

(Mv.VIII.1.6) So Jīvaka Komārabhacca, without taking leave of Prince Abhaya, set out wandering toward Takkasilā. Wandering by stages, he arrived at Takkasilā, went to the doctor, and said to him, “Teacher, I want to study this craft.”

“In that case, Jīvaka, you may study it.”

Then Jīvaka Komārabhacca learned much, learned quickly, understood it well, and didn’t forget what he had learned.

After seven years had passed, the thought occurred to him, “I have learned much, learned quickly, understood it well, and haven’t forgotten what I’ve learned. But after studying for seven years, the end of this craft is not apparent. When will the end of this craft become apparent?”

(Mv.VIII.1.7) So he went to the doctor and, on arrival, said to him, “Teacher, I have learned much, learned quickly, understood it well, and haven’t forgotten what I’ve learned. But after studying for seven years, the end of this craft is not apparent. When will the end of this craft become apparent?”

“I say, Jīvaka, in that case, taking a spade, wander around the area within a league of Takkasilā and bring back anything you see that’s not medicinal.”

Responding, “As you say, teacher,” to the doctor, taking a spade, wandering around the area within a league of Takkasilā, he saw nothing that was not medicinal.

Then he went to the doctor and, on arrival, said to him, “Teacher, wandering around the area within a league of Takkasilā, I saw nothing that was not medicinal.”

(Saying,) “I say, Jīvaka, you have finished your studies. This much should be enough for your livelihood.” he gave him a small amount of provisions for the road.

(Mv.VIII.1.8) Then Jīvaka Komārabhacca, taking the small amount of provisions for the road, set out for Rājagaha. Along the road, at Sāketa, the small amount of provisions for the road ran out. It occurred to him, “These are badland roads with little water, little food. It is not easy to go along them without provisions for a journey. Why don’t I search for provisions?”